|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7"
|
|
MR 7326EP
|
Following Munster's recent release of their complete recordings (MR 408LP) -- which includes previously unpublished songs -- the label present on 7" with two of Modificación's most in-demand songs. The now legendary freakbeat number "Across the Time" was crafted by the Valencia-based band during their recording sessions in Madrid at Audiofilm studios (1972) and has found its rightful place, over the years, as one of the most admired and sought-after singles of Spanish underground music. "Annelie", on the flip, dates back from the early days of the group, when they recorded a single for EMI, Llegará el día que me quieras (1971), featuring Juan Bau on vocals (later to become a popular crooner in Spain). This B-side track shows Modificación's interest in bands like Grand Funk Railroad, Iron Butterfly, Rare Earth... also adding a certain Latin-soul twist that rounds it up as a highly effective dancefloor artifact.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
MR 408LP
|
The group Modificación is a prime example of what '70s underground and prog rock meant on the Valencia scene. Bands encountered a series of obstacles when making their much freer and more versatile music, which was demanded by the international planet rock. These hurdles varied from the serious difficulty of recording modern and innovative records, impositions by the record label and frequent desertion by band members to pursue interests that were more professional than artistic. The group's origins date back to early 1969, in Valencia's Ruzafa neighbourhood, with an average age of around 16 among its founding members. They adopted the name Modificación, an intriguing name that flagged up their creative intentions and interest in underground sounds, under the influence of bands like Grand Funk Railroad, Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge, Rare Earth, Led Zeppelin... While the bulk of the Valencia rock scene revolved around modest groups making commercial music for dance halls, mostly versions of contemporary hits, they wrote their own songs from day one and set the bar high with daily rehearsals, aiming to perform to perfection. The band's luck seemed to change at a show with the Catalan group Lone Star. Pedro Gené (leader and vocalist of Lone Star) suggested Modificación record a single for the biggest record label in Spain: EMI. "Llegará el día que me quieras" (1971) was a major debut that also brought the arrival of a new vocalist, Juan Bau. Modificación's second record adventure was with the small Madrid label La Corrida in 1972, set up by Félix Arribas and Juan Jiménez, members of the famous Spanish band Los Pekenikes. They would release a couple of singles recorded at the Audiofilm studios in Madrid under the influence of glam, Californian and soft-rock style, international trends at the time. The now legendary freakbeat number "Across The Time" was crafted during these sessions and has become one of the most admired and sought-after singles of Spanish music. This LP brings together all the songs comprised in their three published singles as well as the remaining unreleased recordings from those 1972 sessions in Madrid. An accomplished portrait of one of the most legendary Spanish underground bands from that period whose fans, unable to find the elusive -and now very expensive records, were crying out for an urgent reissue of their work. Extensive liner notes by the renowned specialist Vicente Fabuel and previously unseen pictures have been included here.
|